SURREY Police has charged nine people with numerous offences following dawn raids in south London.

The operation on Tuesday morning was part of the force's fight against cross-border criminals.

Forensic intelligence indicates that nearly half of all Surrey crime is committed by out-of-county offenders, while around 60 per cent of known organised crime gangs operating in Surrey are London-based.

Warrants were executed at nine addresses just after 6am on Tuesday with a further three conducted later in the morning.

A total of twelve people were arrested and nine subsequently charged. They all appeared at Guildford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Those charged with offences are:

18-year-old Sean Marks, unemployed from Feltham, charged with conspiracy to burgle and burglary.

19-year-old Christopher Marks, unemployed from Isleworth, charged with conspiracy to burgle, burglary, driving without insurance, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

36-year-Colin Smith, a painter and decorator from Feltham, charged with conspiracy to burgle, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

35-year-old James Roche, a mechanic from Feltham, charged with conspiracy to burgle.

24-year-old Ben Bentley, a window cleaner from Hanworth, charged with conspiracy to burgle.

A 16-year-old boy from Feltham charged with conspiracy to burgle, burglary, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Another 16-year-old boy from Feltham charged with burglary.

A 17-year-old boy, who was produced from HMP Ashford, has been charged with conspiracy to burgle.

All eight were remanded in custody to appear at Guildford Crown Court on October 10.

A 15-year-old boy from Wokingham, charged with conspiracy to burgle, was bailed until the same hearing.

A third 16-year-old boy from Feltham arrested on suspicion of burglary, a 37-year-old woman from Feltham arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and a 34-year-old man of no fixed abode arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs have all been bailed pending further police inquiries.

The raids

More than 100 officers gathered at Sandown Park, Esher, at 5am on Tuesday where they were briefed on the joint operation between Surrey and the Metropolitan Police.

A gang suspected to have been involved in burglaries across the county were named.

They are also believed to have committed offences in the Thames Valley and Metropolitan Police areas.

For the past three months, police have used surveillance to track the suspects.

Just after 6am officers headed to addresses in Feltham and Isleworth, with a further warrant executed in Wokingham. In total, 12 warrants were executed.

I joined Sergeant Peter Lacey and his team and we headed to an address in Feltham with a warrant for two arrests.

Because there was no suspicion of drugs on the premises, police did not force entry.

After gaining access to the property, officers arrested an agitated man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.

As he left the building in handcuffs he was yelling obscenities.

Later a calmer 37-year-old woman was removed from the two-bed house and arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods - she is now on police bail.

Following the raid, Sgt Lacey said: "This is an absolutely great start. Both of the prisoners have been taken to Guildford in two separate vans.

"We have already started the search. It is a very cramped property with lots of things inside. It is a two-bed flat with a small kitchen and lounge. There are also some out-buildings and associated vehicles which will take a little longer to search."

"If we suspect you’re committing crime in our county, we will identify you, target you and arrest you regardless of where you live."

What is Operation Shield?

Operation Shield involves a dedicated Cross-Border Investigation Team working with neighbouring forces and partner agencies to share information about cross-border offending and ensure a co-ordinated response.

They will also provide support and knowledge to officers investigating cross-border crime anywhere in the county.

To target offenders as they travel into and out of Surrey, Automatic Number Plate Recognition devices (ANPR) are being deployed at key locations.

The police are also working with Surrey County Council and the Highways Agency, to ensure fixed-site ANPR cameras on major transport routes and improve the camera network.